Traffic control system

Abstract

A traffic control system 10 is provided having an illuminating member 42 and a rotating drum 48. The drum 48 is provided with a red reflector 50, a green reflector 52 and a yellow reflector 54 formed on different portions thereof. A control channel 14 is provided for selectively rotating the drum 48 so that each reflector 50, 52 and 54 can be illuminated by the illuminating member 42 thus providing an indication whether a vehicle should stop, go or exercise caution. The traffic control system 10 is also provided with a monitoring channel 16 which monitors the control channel 14 to insure the circuit is operating properly.

We claim: 
     
       1. A traffic control device including: a housing having an opening formed therein;   a first power source;   an illuminating means coupled to the first power source and coupled in the housing in alignment with the opening formed therein;   reflector means rotably coupled in the housing having first, second and third reflecting members;   means for rotating the reflector means;   means for activating the rotating means so that each one of the reflecting members of the reflecting means can be selectively rotated into direct alignment with the opening in the housing and the illuminating means to selectively illuminate each one of the reflecting members, the means for activating the rotating means including a second power source;   a first means coupled to the second power source for generating a first and a second signal of predetermined durations during different predetermined time intervals;   a second means coupled to the second power source for generating a third signal of a predetermined duration during a still different predetermined time interval;   a third power source;   a third means coupled to the second and third power source and responsive to the first signal for sending signals to the rotating means to rotate the rotating means to a first, a second and a third position during selected ones of the different time intervals, and responsive to the second signal for sending signals to the rotating means to maintain the rotating means in the first and second positions during other ones of the different time intervals for a predetermined time and responsive to the third signal for sending a signal to the rotating means to maintain the rotating means in the third position during a still different time interval for a predetermined time; and   means for monitoring the activating means to provide an indication when the activating means is inoperative, the monitoring means including, means coupled to the first power source for indicating when the second power source is below a predetermined level;   a first means responsive to the second power source for generating a first signal when the second power source is at a predetermined level and for generating a second signal when the second power source is below the predetermined level;   a fourth power source of the same voltage level as the second power source; and   a second means coupled to the fourth power source and responsive to the first means for activating the indicating means when the second signal is generated by the first means and for deactivating the indicating means when the first signal is generated by the first means.   
     
     
       2. A traffic control device as defined in claim 1 wherein the illuminating means includes: a shaft mounted in the housing; and   at least one fluorescent light coupled to the shaft.   
     
     
       3. A traffic control device as defined in claim 2 wherein the first signal generating means includes: a digital pulser circuit; and   a timing circuit coupled to the digital pulser circuit.   
     
     
       4. A traffic control device as defined in claim 3 wherein the second signal generating means includes: a time delay relay; and   a transistor for activating the time delay relay.   
     
     
       5. A traffic control device as defined in claim 4 wherein the third means includes: a nand gate; and   a linear controller coupled to the nand gate.   
     
     
       6. A traffic control device as defined in claim 5 wherein the first means of the monitoring means includes: a relay; and   a transistor for activating the relay.   
     
     
       7. A traffic control device as defined in claim 6 wherein the second means of the monitoring means includes: a digital timer;   a timing circuit coupled to the digital timer; and   a transistor coupled to the digital timer.   
     
     
       8. A traffic control device as defined in claim 7 wherein the indicating means of the monitoring means includes a flashing light. 
     
     
       9. A traffic control device as defined in claim 8 wherein the reflector means includes: a drum;   a shaft coupled to the drum;   a red reflecting member coupled to a first portion of the drum;   a green reflecting member coupled to a second portion of the drum; and   a yellow reflecting member coupled to a third portion of the drum.   
     
     
       10. A traffic control device as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for rotating the reflector means includes a motor rotably coupled to the shaft of the drum.